Costello's Hillsong

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Enthralled by the sight of more than 20,000 singing Christians,
Treasurer Peter Costello was only too happy to mix his brand of
politics with religion.

Mr Costello was not alone on Monday night in trying to curry
favour with Australia's thriving Pentecostal Assemblies of God
movement at the annual conference of Hillsong, Australia's largest
congregation. Cabinet colleagues Alexander Downer, Helen Coonan and
Kevin Andrews were in the audience at Sydney's SuperDome; on stage
were Costello - who also attended last year - and, earlier, NSW
Labor Premier Bob Carr.

But Hillsong's brand of prosperous Christianity and the
evangelical style of its pastor, Brian Houston, have invited
suggestions that Hillsong has more than a little in common with the
powerful religious right that dominates US politics. Is this
fair?

No, according to Mr Costello's brother Tim, an ordained minister
in the Baptist Church.

Critical of Hillsong in the past for its emphasis on linking a
belief in Jesus to financial prosperity, Tim Costello now defends
the role Hillsong plays in helping young people.

"I'm actually very positive about their music, their attraction
of young people, and I pay Pastor Brian Houston credit for
recognising that to link a belief in Jesus to financial gain was a
distortion of the gospel," Tim Costello said.

He rejects any link to the US religious right movement. "If you
look at Hillsong and the Pentecostal movement here, then I would
say it is more Democrat than Republican, more left than right.

"In contrast to the US religious right, they are very much in
favour of gun control. Nor are Australian evangelical Christians as
militantly anti-abortion as their US counterparts. Another
touchstone issue for evangelical Christians in the US is their
opposition to socialised medicine. That just would never happen
here."

As for the mixture of religion and politics, constitutional law
professor George Williams of the University of NSW says there is
nothing in the constitution that prevents political leaders from
involving themselves in religion.

"Governments are not allowed to establish a national religion,
or use religion as a test for employment, but the Commonwealth is
able to provide funding for religious schools, which is not allowed
in the United States," he said.

Peter Costello's appearance at Hillsong has by no means offended
his traditional political opponents. Federal Opposition Leader Kim
Beazley sent a message of support to the conference, Victorian
Premier Steve Bracks had no problem with any of it, and Victorian
Labor MP Michael Danby said the ALP might learn something from
Hillsong.

HILLSONG: THE FACTS

■ Founded 1983 in Baulkham Hills, north-west Sydney, with
a congregation of 70. Now averages 18,000 a weekend in several
services

■ International profile through highly successful music
ministry, including several top-selling CDs

■ Member church of Assemblies of God. Pastor Brian Houston
is AoG national president

■ Teaches prosperity gospel, that God wants Christians to
prosper. Houston, author of You Need More Money, says this is not
about greed but personal effectiveness. Church sponsors 2600
children in Uganda, and has variety of welfare programs.

■ Runs annual interdenominational convention, with more
than 28,000 attending this year from 80 countries

■ About 20 federal MPs came to 2005 opening session on
Monday, including Peter Costello, Alexander Downer, Kevin Andrews,
Peter Dutton, Ron Boswell, Helen Coonan, Bruce Baird and two who
are members of Hillsong, Louise Markus and Alan Cadman. NSW Premier
Bob Carr came to first session